Catalina Island

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Effective March 7, 2017 Stage 3 Mandatory Water Rationing is no longer in effect. Please check back for updated information about Stage 1 Mandatory Conservation now in effect.

Safely providing electricity, water and gas to Catalina Island is our top priority. Below is helpful information about these services for the more than 4,000 year-round residents and over 700,000 visitors Catalina Island hosts every year.

Catalina Island Water Services

Since 1962, we’ve been providing water service to Catalina Island through water storage, wells, water treatment and distribution, and, more recently, a desalination plant. Download our fact sheet to learn more about the water system.

Water Supply Status and Stage 1 Results

As of July 23, 2018 the Middle Ranch Reservoir water level was 610.96 acre feet.

In June, 2018, water use declined 53 percent even with a 31 percent increase in visitors to the island; 16 acre feet of water was used compared to 34 acre feet in June, 2013.

In June, 2018 water use decreased 32 percent with a 2 percent increase in visitors to the island; 16 acre feet of water was used compared to 23 acre feet in June, 2017.

Between July, 2017 and June, 2018, water use declined 30 percent even with a 30 percent increase in visitors to the island; 267 acre feet of water was used compared to 382 acre feet in June, 2012 - May, 2013 (baseline).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SCE offer programs and services that can help customers reduce their water use without sacrificing comfort?

We will continue to make water conservation devices available to customers. You can pick up low-flow shower heads, kitchen and bath faucet aerators and automatic shut-off hose nozzles at our Pebbly Beach office located at 1 Pebbly Beach, Avalon, CA 90704 or City Hall.

We strongly encourage you to conduct a personal household water audit. An audit will help you assess how and where you use water, how much you use, and find opportunities to save. Refer to http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/ResAudit.pdf for more information on how a household water audit can help you save both water and money.

Where can I get more information about my drinking water?

We guarantee that we’re providing you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water by regularly monitoring the water supply. We’re required to test for a number of different contaminants in the water system, with the timing of the sampling varying based on the state’s requirements, from daily to annually. The company conducts more than 2,300 tests for over 150 drinking water contaminants.

In order to ensure that water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, established regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Monitoring results are routinely submitted to the Division of Drinking Water and are subject to review and inspection by the agency.

For more information about what we test for and how it compares to California water quality standards, please refer to our annual Consumer Confidence Report.

Catalina Island Gas Services

We also provide commercial and residential customers on Catalina Island with gas services. Below are answers to some questions you may have related to your gas service.

Catalina Gas Services: Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I suspect a propane gas leak?

If you smell propane gas or suspect a leak has occurred, follow these important rules:

Do not touch, breathe, or make contact with leaking propane gas

Get everyone out of your home or building, and open doors and windows to ventilate the area

If outside, leave the area immediately by walking into the wind and away from the propane gas

Do not light a match, start an engine, use a cell phone, or do anything that may create a spark as the leaked propane gas can ignite

Turn off machinery and equipment, but never approach equipment that is surrounded by a gas cloud

FROM A SAFE LOCATION, CALL LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS AT 911 AND SCE AT 1-310-510-4301 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Provide a description of the propane leak and its location

Warn others to keep away

How is propane gas delivered safely to my home or business?

Propane gas is supplied to our customers via a pipeline system- the safest, most reliable and most efficient way of distributing propane gas. Pipeline failures on Catalina Island are rare because our pipeline system is designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained according to strict standards used by us, the pipeline industry and those required by local, state, and federal government agencies.

We continuously monitor the pipeline system through a combination of safety programs:

Patrols of the pipeline system

Visual ground inspections and leak surveys

Computerized system reports and records of line pressure 24 hours a day

Construction practices that help prevent rusting and minimize corrosion

How can I help keep gas pipelines on Catalina Island safe?

Everyone can contribute to the safety and security of the pipeline system on Catalina Island. Any activity near or on a pipeline route—even something as simple as planting a tree or building a fence—can potentially damage a pipeline.

A gouge, scrape, dent or crease to a pipeline or its coating may cause a break or a leak in the future. If you plan to dig, drill, or engage in any other activity that could damage a pipeline, call Dig Alert at 1-800-227-2600 at least 48 hours before you dig or excavate.

When you call Dig Alert, our personnel will come out and mark the pipeline route for you. When excavating near propane gas piping, the excavation must be done with hand tools until the propane gas line is found.

If you know of even minor damage to a pipeline, please contact us immediately at 1-310-510-4301 so we can investigate.

Where are the underground gas pipelines?

Usually, an underground “main” pipeline located in the middle of the street in front of your home or business supplies propane gas. Additional underground piping runs from the main pipeline to the propane gas meter that supplies propane gas to your home or business. In open areas, main pipelines are marked with aboveground signs to indicate the general location, our contact information, and that the pipeline contains propane gas. Markers do not provide information on the depth or number of pipelines in the vicinity and the markers do not indicate the exact position of the pipeline.

What can I do above ground to keep underground pipelines safe?

Pipeline routes must be kept free from structures and other obstructions. If a pipeline crosses your property, please do not plant trees or high shrubs along the route. Also, do not store or place anything on or near the pipeline route without first contacting us so we can explain the company’s construction guidelines to you. Call us during normal business hours at 1-310-510-4312 if you have any questions.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Always follow these important safety tips:

Never use a propane gas oven or stove burners for heating

Only use indoor-use portable heaters when inside

Don’t use an outdoor barbeque grill indoors

Always keep propane gas appliances well-ventilated

Have propane gas appliances tested regularly by qualified technicians

Catalina Island Electric Services

We generate electricity for Catalina Island using six diesel generators and 23 propane-powered microturbines, and we distribute that power using three distribution circuits that serve the entire island. Here are some useful ways to help you manage your electricity usage: